Meriden station offering gas at $1.84 per gallon as part of political event

Luther Turmelle, North Bureau Chief

Published
12:00 am EDT, Tuesday, October 16, 2012

An event offering gasoline at $1.84 per gallon at a Meriden service station has the backing of a Virginia-based conservative political group.

The Connecticut chapter of the national group Americans for Prosperity is holding what it has dubbed "a gas rollback event" Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Danby's Gulf Express on East Main Street.

The local event is one of about 10 planned in states across the country, according to the group.

Organizers say the price per gallon is tied to the level of gas prices before President Barack Obama took office.

Customers can buy 15 gallons at the reduced price, and state Sen. Len Suzio, R-Meriden, will attend the event.

Suzio has led the fight in Connecticut to reduce the state's gas taxes. By attending this event, he is aligning himself with an organization that is one of the most powerful conservative groups in the country. The group has the backing of David and Charles Koch, who are known to bankroll conservative candidates across the country.

J.R. Romano of Branford, the state director for Americans for Prosperity, said that while the Connecticut chapter and the national organization share the common belief in smaller government and more responsive political leadership, the local group doesn't have an agenda beyond that.

"I set the agenda here, and we don't deal with social issues," said Romano, who claims the group has 75,000 members statewide. "We aren't about parties, we're about policies."

Local members of the group will be on hand at Thursday's event to "educate the consumer on the failed energy policies of the Obama administration and the Malloy administration," Romano said.

The local group is expecting between 150 and 300 motorists to line up for the less expensive gas, and that's when they will hear from Americans for Prosperity members.

Suzio is seeking re-election and is being challenged by Democratic Meriden City Councilwoman Dante Bartolomeo.

Suzio said that while he has warned the local Americans for Prosperity group that "this is not to be an election event," he agreed to appear because "the topic is not too far to the right, the topic is right down the middle."

"I think that very few Americans think ideologically," Suzio said. "What Americans are concerned about are high gas prices and what it is doing to their budgets. I'm not advocating for anyone's election or defeat. I'm advocating for tax policies that are sound when it comes to fuel prices."

"I think while we are all in agreement that prices should be lower, but doing it this way is not beneficial," Savas said. "Dante is certainly commited to reducing that financial matter, but she believes it can be done in a bipartisan manner. Len Suzio claims to be a bipartisan (state) senator, but this shows he is still the same right-wing, tea party supporter."